Diathermic apparatus for treatment of internal organs adjacent to the rectum



TB.C FOR THE NT 'I'O Jan. 18 19 27.

ATLIN ATMENT OF INTERNAL THE HECTUM 1925 DE FORES DIATRBRMIC APPARATUS ORGANS ADJACE JzZZzm IWWIW Patented Jan. 18, 1927.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

DE FOREST B. CATLIN, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

DIATHERMIC APPARATUS FOB TREATMENT OF INTERNAL ORGANS ADJACENT TO THE BECTUM.

Application filed' October 30; 1925.

This invention is embodied in certain improvements hereinafter described in a paratus for transmitting heating current rom the rectum to the abdomen of the patient through the post-urethral canal, the prostate gland, and other organs included in the region between the rectum and the abdomen.

Of the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a posturethral electrode embodying the chief features of my invention, and an edge view of a supporting base for said electrode, an indifferent electrode and the region of the body acted on by the apparatus being shown by broken lines, the figure showing also a diagram of the circuit connections.

Figure 2 is an end elevation of the posturethral electrode shown by Figure 1.

The same reference characters indicate the same parts in all of the figures.

My improved post-urethral electrode hereinafter described, is usually known in diathermy as the active electrode, and is used with a so-called indifierent electrode 12, placed upon the outer surface 13 of the abdomen. The electrode 12 is usually a plate of block tin, or other suitable metal, and has a surface area considerably greater than that of the rectal portion of the active electrode. A binding post 14 on the electrode 12, is connected by a return conducting wire 15, with one pole of a generator 16, which may be a diathermy machine of any suitable type.

The post-urethral or active electrode of my invention is made of any suitable conducting metal and includes a supporting portion 17, having a foot 18, adapted to bear on a base 19 of insulating material, formed to be interposed between a supporting bed 20 and a surface portion 21 of the patients body. The supporting portion is provided with means, such as a binding post 22, for connection with a supply wire 23.

When the apparatus is in use, the supporting portion 17 rises from the base 19, and is preferably inclined, as shown by Figure 1. The active electrode also includes an elongated rectal portion 24, formed to enter the rectum 25, and extend from the anus 26 nearly or quite to the inner end of the rectum. The length of the rectal portion 24, the area of the electrode 12, and the po- Serial No. 65,803.

sition of the latter relative to the rectal portion, are such that when the apparatus is in use, the post-urethral canal 27, the prostate gland 28, the bulb 29, and the vesicles 29 shown by broken lines in Figure 1, are in the path of heating current passing from the rectal portion to the electrode 12, as indicated by the substantially parallel lines in Figure 1.

The supporting portion 17 and the rwtal portion 24, are rigidly connected and constitute a body or main portion. The active electrode preferably includes also a symphysis portion 30 of conducting metal, projecting upward from the electrode body at the outer end of the rectal portion 24. The portion 30 is formed and arranged to be interposed between a portion of the scrotum 31, and the adjacent portion 32 of the patients body, extending between the scrotum and the anus.

The symphysis portion is preferably hinged at 33 to the body of the active electrode, so that it may stand at various angles relative to the rectal portion 24. A biasing spring 34, fixed at 35 to the body of the active electrode, has a free end bearing on the symphysis portion 30, and adapted to press the latter against the surface 32.

The surface area and position of the indifferent electrode 12 determine the location of the greatest temperature.

In this instance the arrangement is such that the temperature is highest in the regions of the post-urethral canal, the bulb, the vesicles, and the prostate gland.

The symphysis portion 30 directs heating current across that part of the post-urethral canal which extends approximatel parallel with the body surface 32 on w ich the portion 30 bears, and ensures more effective treatment of this canal part than is afforded by current emanating from the rectal portion 24.

The base 19 may be provided with means engaging the foot 18 of the supporting portion 17 to prevent displacement of the active electrode from the operative position shown by Figure 1, said means having preferably embodied in a cleat 38, bearing on the outer edge of the foot. As above stated, the base 19 1s confined by the weight of the body portion bearing thereon, so that the cleat constitutes a practically fixed abutment, preventing movement of the active electrode tending to withdraw the rectal portion 24 from the rectum.

The rectal portion is provided with a 10ngitudinal socket 39, closed at the inner end .41 of the thermometer being at or near the inner end of the rectal portion. The thermometer indicates to a physician the approximate temperature of the parts under treatment, and enables him to properly control the temperature.

It will now be seen that the described apparatus is adapted to treat diseased organs, or parts of-the human body, by generating av high degree oi heat within the tissues, for the purpose of relieving inflammation and congestion, killing germs of disease, particularly in the post-urethral canal, and producing other useful results. Due to the high temperature, a Very large amount of blood is forced through the arteries, so that a localized fever is produced, which is taken care of by the general circulation, within a short, time after treatment.

I claim r 1. In diatherniic apparatus of the character stated, a post-urethral active electrode comprising a supporting portion, for-med to bear on and project upward from a sup port below a patients body and provided with means for connection with a conductor, and an elongated rectal portion arranged at an angle with the supporting portion and formed to enter the rectum, the arrangement being such that heating current may pass from the rectal portion through the prostate gland, the post-urethral canal, and other organs, to an indifferent electrode placed on the abdomen.

2. In diatherinic ap aratus of the character stated, a post-ure hral active electrode comprising a supporting portion, formed to bear on and project upward from a support below a patients body, and provided with means for connection with a conductor, an elongated rectal portion arranged at an angle with the supporting portion and formed to enter the rectum, said supporting and rectal portions forming an angular electrode body; and a symphysis portion projecting upward from the electrode body, and formed and arranged to be interposed be tween a portion of the scrotum and an adja cent surface of the patients body.

3. In diathermic apparatus of the char= acter stated, a post-urethral active electrode comprising a supporting portion, formed to bear on and project upward from support below a patients body, and provided with means for connection with a conductor, an elongated rectal portion arranged at an an; gle with the supporting portion and formed to enter the rectum, said supporting and rectal portions forming an angular electrode body; and a symphysis portion projecting upward from the electrode body, and formed and arranged to be interposed between a por, tion of the scrotum and an adjacent surface of the patients body, the symphysis per? tion'being hinged to the electrode body and provided with a biasing spring whereby it is pressed yieldingly against said adjacent body surface.

In testimony whereo I have a fix my signature.

DE. FOREST B. CATLIN, 

